BMW ‘out of this world’

FOR over 25 years now, the BMW Individual Manufaktur customisation facility in Garching near Munich has been producing exceptionally high-quality equipment features, extraordinary special-edition models and spectacular one-offs – all sporting a highly distinctive design and further enriched by the world’s finest, most precious materials.

And the bespoke styling specialists have now opened up a new dimension in exclusivity by looking beyond our planet and bringing the night sky into the car.

In the BMW Individual M850i xDrive Coupe Night Sky (fuel consumption combined: 9.8 – 9.7 l/100 km [28.8 – 29.1 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 224 – 221 g/km), applications made from meteoritic material grace selected controls. Human fascination with the infinite vastness of the universe is also mirrored in the illuminated constellations of stars on the centre console and in the surface design of the luxury sports car’s trim finishers, seat backrests, brake discs and exterior add-on parts, which draws inspiration from celestial bodies.

On rare occasions, smaller rocks in space penetrate our planet’s protective shield and fall to Earth as meteorites. Some of these extra-terrestrial fragments have now been incorporated into the cabin of the BMW Individual M850i xDrive Coupe Night Sky.

By employing materials that are literally out of this world, BMW Individual Manufaktur has succeeded in giving the car unique and highly original aesthetic appeal and, in the process, pushed back the boundaries once again of what can be achieved when designing a car interior. The meteoritic rock adorns the whole of the centre console’s trim plate, the start/stop button for the V8 engine, the selector lever for the eight-speed Steptronic transmission and the Touch Controller for the iDrive system, creating a visual and tactile effect unparalleled in the automotive sector. Inlays made from meteorite material have also been incorporated into the door sill finishers, together with an illuminated model badge. All of which ensures the BMW Individual M850i xDrive Coupe Night Sky embodies luxury and exclusivity at an unprecedented level.

Dangers of using mobile phone while driving needs to be ‘hit home’ to learner drivers

IF LEARNING to drive is one of your New Year’s resolutions, a new study in the UK – which applies equally to Ireland - has revealed the skills motorists would really like you to get to grips with before you pass your test.

Research from Young Driver asked 1,000 motorists what elements of driving they thought should be focused on more in the learning process.

The dangers of using a mobile phone behind the wheel took the top spot, with 56 per cent saying they wish the message would hit home. Speeding and being more aware of the potential consequences of tailgating also featured highly – elements which should already be focused on significantly in the learning process, but where drivers felt the message wasn’t getting through.

However, according to the research there were also key driving situations people felt weren’t adequately covered in the learning process. Forty three per cent of people thought motorway lessons should be compulsory, with a similar number hoping that would lead to less middle lane hogs on the roads. Forty per cent of motorists thought night time driving should also be a necessary part of lessons.

Motorists were also keen to highlight the importance of driver etiquette during tuition. Forty five per cent of drivers wished more focus was given to manners behind the wheel, such as thanking other road users or allowing people to filter in.

Further areas of focus included being taught about the dangers of driving too slowly, which 34 per cent of drivers flagged as important, when and how headlights should be used (29 per cent) and how average speed cameras work (19 per cent).